Filipino youth groups launch 'Crusade for Cris'Vows to organize protests that the 'government will never forget'

March 21, 2006

CRUSADE FOR CRIS (HUGO),' A CAMPAIGN CALLING FOR justice, was launched by national youth organizations led by the League of Filipino Students (LFS) today, with protest activities marking several campuses.

Cris Hugo, a 20 year-old student leader, was shot dead last Sunday, March 19, making him the first student killed in the series of political assassinations in the Philippines this year. Cris Hugo is the regional chairperson of LFS in Bicol, south of Luzon islands.

"What is most alarming here is that, this time, the victim is a young student. This is what angers us so much, the fact that the target now extends to our friends and fellow students," said Vencer Crisostomo, LFS national chairperson.

Joining the crusade are national youth groups College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), Kabataan Party, Anakbayan, Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan (KARATULA) and the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP).

The groups kicked-off the campaign with series of protest activities in several campuses. The CEGP, a nationwide alliance of college publications, trooped to the University Belt and conducted information dissemination activities regarding the killing. Students from the University of the Philippines, meanwhile, held room-to-room discussions and a noise barrage protest in the afternoon.

"Now we are really pissed. We promise to generate a student movement that will claim justice for Cris and will bring down this fascist government. We will avenge the killing of our fellow student and bring Arroyo a protest she will never forget," said Crisostomo.

The youth groups are holding a protest action on March 22, and are planning to march on March 23, together with other organizations.

"We will post his picture on the walls of our student offices and classrooms. He will serve as reminder of how wicked the Arroyo is and will be our inspiration to further intensify our efforts to oust her government immediately," Crisostomo said. ###